What is Distance Education?

Distance education, as the name suggests, is a way of imparting education and training at a distance. It is a flexible mode of learning/ training without being physically present in the classroom. It frees learners as well as tutors from the constraints of time, pace, and the place of study.

It is an unconventional way of educating non-traditional learners like a full-time working professional, defense personnel, housewife, people of remote areas, etc, who cannot pursue education traditionally due to various reasons. Due to which it is gaining popularity all over the world as an alternative to traditional education techniques. Distance between learners and tutors is bridged using communication technologies like the internet, phones, video-conferencing, and other resources like recorded lectures, self-explanatory study materials. It lays down a set of teaching methods that can be used to overcome the spatial and temporal separation between educators and students.

Distance education ditches the conventional “Classroom-Teacher-Student” method. With the help of distance education techniques, the classroom can be anywhere and knowledge can be pursued anytime. In simple words, Distance education is a way of educating people irrespective of the learner’s age, place, and time with the help of technology. With the help of distance education, students can pursue a degree without attending the institution. This is called pursuing a degree in distance mode.

Distance education can be helpful in countries where there are limited infrastructure facilities or remote locations where conventional or orthodox education access is limited or not available at all. This approach to learning proves beneficial for many, as it is less expensive as compared to conventional education. Working professionals who want to gain a degree but are busy with their jobs also gain from distance education.

Pursuing educational degrees through distance education is a good alternative for people who cannot traditionally complete their education. It is devised for people who have a great urge of acquiring knowledge but lack sufficient time. For example, Sarita is a working professional, working as an administrative head in a company in Mumbai. She wants to pursue MBA, from a university in Pune, for knowledge as well as career growth. She cannot indulge in regular studies due to her job and distance. Distance education is an option that can help her attain an MBA degree without being physically present in Pune.